Judochop
Well-Known Member
Im considering switching to a batch sparging method for my small to medium sized beers, but as I was thinking through the process, I came upon a concern.
The set-up: Ive got a 10 gallon stainless steel MLT with a dead space that may be 2 gallons. (I havent measured it yet, but Im pretty sure its well beyond 1 gallon.)
I want to collect 7 gallons pre-boil, thus I plan to collect 3.5 gallons in my first run-off. But even at a humble 9 lbs of grist, Ive got 3 gallons of mash water mixed in there plus another 2 gallons below in the dead space. Minus roughly a gallon of absorption, Im still looking at 4 gallons in my first run-off.
Now, if I simply add another 3 gallons to the MLT, I see 2 gallons of that water going straight to the dead space, leaving me with only 1 gallon to stir into the grains and rinse the sugars. Is that enough water? Am I going to have a hell of a time stirring a mash this thick? I feel like most people doing batch sparge are using igloo coolers with dead spaces much smaller. I dont know why I feel that way its just an instinct.
Any batch spargers out there with words of comfort, or better yet, a MLT like mine?
The set-up: Ive got a 10 gallon stainless steel MLT with a dead space that may be 2 gallons. (I havent measured it yet, but Im pretty sure its well beyond 1 gallon.)
I want to collect 7 gallons pre-boil, thus I plan to collect 3.5 gallons in my first run-off. But even at a humble 9 lbs of grist, Ive got 3 gallons of mash water mixed in there plus another 2 gallons below in the dead space. Minus roughly a gallon of absorption, Im still looking at 4 gallons in my first run-off.
Now, if I simply add another 3 gallons to the MLT, I see 2 gallons of that water going straight to the dead space, leaving me with only 1 gallon to stir into the grains and rinse the sugars. Is that enough water? Am I going to have a hell of a time stirring a mash this thick? I feel like most people doing batch sparge are using igloo coolers with dead spaces much smaller. I dont know why I feel that way its just an instinct.
Any batch spargers out there with words of comfort, or better yet, a MLT like mine?